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Massage Cafe offers healing hands
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Neighbors | Submitted .The massage therapists at the Massage Cafe had many skills to offer during their day of massage to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Whether he was performing relaxation massages, muscle therapy, or shorter massage chair work (shown here), therapist Danny McGarvey (right) worked with a smile.
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Neighbors | Submitted .On July 18, the licensed massage therapists at the Massage Cafe donated all proceeds from their work to the Youngstown chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Preparing to knead and manipulate muscles on July 18 were, from left, therapists Danny McGarvey, Jen Bramlett, Carrie Dunham.
By SARAH FOOR
For the newly-opened Massage Cafe, which straddles the boundaries of Boardman and Canfield, July 18 was a very big day. To celebrate its recent opening, the cafe participated in Every Body Deserves a Massage Week and offered any guests who purchased a 20-minute massage the chance to win a free year of massotherapy.
However, Massage Cafe owner Gina DeAngelo also wanted the work of her therapist’s healing hands to benefit a larger cause. Every massage given on July 18 raised funds for the Youngstown chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
“We wanted to bring attention to this cause because it has personally affected many of my staff members and their families, but it also is a cause that massotherapy can help with,” shared DeAngelo.
“There is a wealth of information on the healing power of touch and how it fosters interpersonal connections for those struggling with thoughts of suicide. Massage is an escape, a place for anyone to rest their minds and relax, which is welcome for anyone who is grieving.”
The facility’s devotion to the Foundation for Suicide Prevention will go beyond one day. This October, DeAngelo and her staff will participate in the Out of the Darkness Mahoning Valley Walk at Mill Creek Park to benefit the same cause.
In fact, DeAngelo plans to keep the Massage Cafe a local business that supports fellow community endeavors and organizations. In the facility, DeAngelo sells snacks and foods from local entrepreneurs and offers her walls as a space for Youngstown-area artists, while maintaining her focus on providing a relaxing and welcoming massotherapy environment.
“I am endlessly passionate about the work that my fellow massage therapists and I do,” DeAngelo shared. “Yes, a massage is a luxury, but one that every person I see can greatly benefit from. I love to share that with my community.”